ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led government as compared to previous governments has taken several important steps for improving living standards of farmers and upliftment of Agriculture sector: Union Agriculture Minister
Recent announcement of a remunerative price based essentially on the recommendation of NCF is a very important step to ensure economic viability of farming: Dr. Swaminathan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led government as compared to the previous governments has taken several important steps for the improvement of living standards of farmers and the upliftment of agriculture sector. This was stated by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh. Shri Singh has on several occasions said that questions have been raised about Modi Government’s inaction on the National Commission on Farmers  report but the truth is that based on this report presented in the year 2006, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led government, compared to the previous governments, has taken several important steps for improving living standards of farmers and upliftment of Agriculture sector. Dr. Swaminathan, while acknowledging this in his article in an English daily said “Although the NCF report was submitted in 2006, very little action was taken until the present government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office. Fortunately over the last four years, several significant decisions have been taken to improve the status and income of farmers.”
The Union Agriculture Minister said to help farmers get fair value of their produce and enhance their income, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led government fulfilled its promise by recently announcing a hike in the Minimum Support Price  for Kharif 2018. Praising the decision of the government, Dr. Swaminathan said “The recent announcement of a remunerative price based essentially on the recommendation of NCF is a very important step to ensure the economic viability of farming. To underline, government has ensured in its notification that from Kharif 2018 onwards MSP of the notified crops would be minimum of 150% of the cost of production; it ranges from 150-200% for coarse cereals.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM attends the 'Namami Narmada' festival on Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat
Visits Butterfly Park, eco-tourism site in Kevadiya, Gujarat
Statue of Unity has put Gujarat on the world tourism map, says PM
Vision of Sardar Patel is the inspiration behind government’s decision on Jammu and Kashmir, PM
Confident of bringing prosperity and trust to Jammu,Kashmir and Ladakh: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the 'Namami Narmada' festival at Kevadiya Gujarat. The festival is being celebrated by the Gujarat government to mark the filling up of the dam to its full reservoir level of 138.68 metres. For the first time since the height of the dam was raised in 2017, the water level reached its highest peak on evening of 16th September. PM also performed puja at the dam site to welcome the water of river Narmada, the lifeline of Gujarat.
Later, the Prime Minister visited the Khalvani Eco-Tourism site in Kevadiya and a Cactus Garden. At the Butterfly Garden in Kevadiya, the Prime Minister released a large basket full of butterflies into the park. He also visited the Ekta Nursery, situated in the vicinity of the Statue of Unity. Later the PM addressed a public meeting next to the ‘Statue of Unity’.
PM stated “I am blessed to see water in the SardarSarovar Dam rise above 138 metres. The SardarSarovar Dam is a ray of hope for the people of Gujarat. It is a boon for lakhs of hardworking farmers”.
Comparing the tourist flow at Statue of Unity with Statue of Liberty, the PM said, “Within 11 months of unveiling, the Statue of Unity is attracting tourist footfall which is almost on par with the 133-year-old Statue of Liberty. Kevadiya and Gujarat are on the world tourism map because of the Statue of Unity. I am told over 23 lakh tourists from India and across the world have visited this place in the last 11 months”. The Statue of Liberty attracts on average 10,000 tourists every day. But you need to keep in mind that it is 133 years old. On the other hand, Statue of Unity is just 11 months old. Despite that, it is attracting over 8,500 tourists every day. This is a miracle, he said.
The Statue of Unity was opened to the public on October 31, 2018 to mark the birth anniversary of the country's first home minister.
The Prime Minister lauded the vision of Sardar Patel, adding that the government’s decision last month on Jammu and Kashmir was an inspiration from the former home minister of India. And the decision to bifurcate the state into two union territories are inspired by Sardar Patel and is an attempt to find solution to a decades-old problem. PM said that he is confident of bringing prosperity and trust to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakhwith the active support of millions of colleagues.
The Prime Minister said, “Your servant is fully committed to the unity and superiority of India. We have strengthened this commitment over the last 100 days, and the new government will work faster than before, will achieve bigger goals than before”.
Ministry of Communications
Spectrum Auction 2021: Telecom Department assigns frequencies to successful bidders
Harmonization of spectrum accomplished along with frequency assignments
Amount of Rs 2306.97 crore received in advance from bidders by assigning spectrum immediately, rather than at a later date
Department of Telecom  today  successfully completed the assignment of frequencies to successful bidders of the Spectrum Auction, 2021. Frequency assignment letters were issued to successful bidders today.
The frequency assignment was accompanied by a frequency harmonization exercise, whereby spectrum blocks assigned to Telecom Service Providers  in the current spectrum auction have been made contiguous with the spectrum blocks already held by them, wherever possible, in various bands in different Licensed Service Areas .
The harmonization of spectrum was accomplished in 19 LSAs in 800 MHz band, 8 LSAs in 900 MHz band, 21 LSAs in 1800 MHz band, 3 LSAs in 2100 MHz band, and 16 LSAs in 2300 MHz band.The harmonization exercise facilitates more efficient utilization of spectrum held by TSPs, leading to improved Quality of Service for consumers.
As a part of the frequency assignment, the Government has also accepted the request of two TSPs – M/S Bharti and M/S Reliance Jio, for assignment of immediately available unsold spectrum blocks in place of spectrum blocks in the same band and LSA assigned to them from later dates. An amount of Rs. 2306.97 crore  has been received immediately by the Government, rather than in August/ September, 2021.
It may be recalled that a total quantity of 855.60 MHz of spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz bands was acquired by Telecom Service Providers  in the Spectrum Auction, 2021, conducted on 1st and 2nd March, 2021. The total amount payable by the successful bidders for the total quantity of spectrum acquired is Rs 77820.81 crore. Of this, an amount of Rs 21918.47 crore was received as upfront payment from the TSPs on 18th March, 2021, as per terms and conditions of the Notice Inviting Applications.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
39.96 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
3,02,27,792 total recoveries across the country so far
Recovery Rate increases to 97.31%
43,916 patients recovered during last 24 hours
India reports 38,079 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,24,025
Active cases constitute 1.36% of total cases
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.10%
Daily positivity rate at 1.91%, less than 3% for 26 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 44.20 cr tests total conducted
President's Secretariat
President of India’s Greetings on The Eve of Chhath Puja
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Chhath Puja.
In a message, the President has said, “On the occasion of Chhath Puja, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our fellow citizens living in India and abroad.
Chhath Puja is one of the oldest festivals to be celebrated in the country. Its significance lies in offering ‘Arghya’ to the setting Sun. Devotees, after observing rigorous fast during the day, take holy bath in the waters of rivers and ponds in culmination of the festival. This festival is a unique expression of relations we share with Sun God and the nature.
May this festival strengthen our eternal relationship with nature that help us to protect our environment”.
Click here to see the President's message in Hindi
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of Smt. Mukta Tilak
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the demise of former Pune mayor and MLA, Maharashtra, Smt. Mukta Tilak.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Smt. Mukta Tilak Ji served society with diligence. She made a mark by raising pro-people issues and had a noteworthy tenure as Pune’s Mayor. Her commitment to BJP will always be cherished by Karyakartas. Pained by her demise. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti."
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Jharkhand on their Statehood Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has greeted the people of Jharkhand on their Statehood Day.
“झारखंड के लोगों को राज्य के स्थापना दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
Greetings to the people of Jharkhand on their Statehood Day. With the blessings of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, may this state scale new heights of growth and glory in the coming years”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet approves Bilateral Swap Arrangement between India and Japan
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for entering into an Agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement  between India and Japan and authorizing the Reserve Bank of India  to sign the Agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement between the RBI and the Bank of Japan for a maximum amount of USD 75 billion.
Salient Features:
The swap arrangement is an agreement between India and Japan to essentially exchange and re-exchange a maximum amount of USD 75 Billion for domestic currency, for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate level of balance of payments for meeting short-term deficiency in foreign exchange.
Benefits:
The BSA is a very good example of mutual cooperation between India and Japan for strategic objective of assisting each other in times of difficulty and for restoring international confidence. This facility will enable the agreed amount of Capital being available to India on tap for use. Also, with this arrangement in place, prospects of Indian companies would improve in tapping foreign capital as there would be greater confidence in stability of country’s exchange rate. Availability of such swap line to tide over difficulties arising out of Balance of Payment  would deter speculative attacks on the domestic currency and greatly enhance the RBI’s ability to manage exchange rate volatility.
The arrangement is another milestone in mutual economic cooperation and special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan.
Ministry of Power
Clarification on designation of villages as 'electrified'
Definition of Village Electrification:
Definition of village electrification is a legacy issue which, though, mandates electrification of at least 10 per cent households in a village, but does not imply restricting household electrification only to 10 per cent.As per recent reports from the States, household electrification level in rural areas is more than 82per cent ranging from 47to 100per centacross various States. Had the definition been cause, such level of household electrification could not have been achieved. The variation in level of electrification across various regions and states within the country is primarily because of its size, heterogeneity in terms of topography; location; resources and also because of varying efforts made by the States for household electrification. The Government has already moved out of this dichotomy and launched ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’- Saubhagya to achieve universal household electrification in the country by 31stDecember 2018. Therefore, the debate over definition of village electrification in the present scenariohas lost the significance.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
MNRE Grants Extension for RE Projects considering disruption on account of lockdown due to COVID-19 for a period of 30 Days beyond lockdown;
Lockdown due to COVID-19 to be treated as Force Majeure
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  has said that the Renewable Energy implementing agencies may grant extension of time for RE projects, on account of lockdown due to COVID-19, equivalent to the period of lockdown and additional 30  days for normalisation after end of such lockdown. In an order issued on 17-4-2020, the Ministry noted that, thus, the extension will be for the period of lockdown plus 30  days. This will be a blanket extension - there will be no requirement of case to case examination. There will be no need to ask for any evidence for extension due to lockdown.
The Ministry has also said that all Renewable Energy implementing agencies of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy  will treat lockdown due to COVID-19, as Force Majeure .
Referring to the Renewable Energy Departments , the Ministry has asked them that they may also treat lockdown due to COVID-19, as Force Majeure and may consider granting appropriate time extension on account of such lockdown.
The decision was taken after, RE developers represented to the Ministry that they may be granted a general time extension on account of lock down  and additional time required for normalization after such lockdown.
MNRE had, earlier on 20.03.2020, issued directions to SECI, NTPC and Addl. Chief Secretaries / Pr. Secretaries / Secretaries of Power / Energy / Renewable Energy  Departments of State Governments/ UT Govts./ Administrations, to treat delay on account of disruption of the supply chains due to spread of coronavirus in China or any other country, as Force Majeure and that they may grant suitable extension of time for projects, on account of coronavirus, based on evidences / documents produced by developers in support of their respective claims of such disruption of the supply chains due to spread of coronavirus in China or any other country.
RCJ/Monika
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Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister pays homage to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his Punya Tithi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with 140 crore people of India.
In a tweet, PM said;
“I join the 140 crore people of India in paying homage to the remarkable Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India benefitted greatly from his leadership. He played a pivotal role in boosting our nation's progress and in taking it to the 21st century in a wide range of sectors.”
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Mega Buyer-Seller Meet in Guwahati under One District One Product Initiative, in collaboration with Ministry of DoNER.
With the vision to promote sustainable trade and create market linkages, a mega buyer-seller meet was organized at under One District One Product initiative of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the support of Ministry of Development of North East Region  and its PSUs, North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation  and North East Regional Agriculture Marketing Corporation Limited . The meet focussed on agricultural products from the eight states of the North Eastern Region and witnessed the presence of multiple national and International Brands.
Over 70 sellers, traders, farmers, aggregators from various districts of each of the NE States - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim - showcased their products to the buyers at the meet in Guwahati. Products included Meghalaya’s world-famous Lakadong Turmeric with more than 7% curcumin content, the GI Tagged Large Cardamom from Sikkim and Queen Pineapple from Tripura, Orthodox Assam Tea, Manipur’s Black Chakhao Rice and more. These products have been showcased to over 30 large buyers representing big brands such as Reliance and ITC, as well as upcoming start-ups in India.
The keynote address for the event was made by Shri Lok Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in the presence of officials and subject matter experts from the Agricultural and Horticultural Departments of the various state governments. Shri. B. Ramanjaneyulu, Director DPIIT, Shri. Manoj Kumar Das, Managing Director, NERAMAC, and Brig R K Singh, Managing Director, NEHHDC were also present.
NERAMAC which has been set up to support farmers/ producers from the North Eastern Region has been working to bridge the gap between farmers and the larger market. Thus, its role in the current Buyer-Seller Meet in collaboration with the ODOP Initiative has been critical. Through the joint efforts, the best-in-class products from the region are being matched with big brands to improve the earning potential of farmers. Focused trade discussions were also facilitated between the buyers, sellers and the State Government representatives from all the 8 NER states. Additionally, Letters of Intent  worth Rs. 6 crores were signed during the event.
The above is a direct outcome of the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat . DPIIT, under its initiative of One District One Product, which is working to ensure creation and sustenance of such linkages with a strong focus on increasing farmers income. With over 700 products cutting across sectors like agriculture, textiles, handicrafts, and manufacturing, the ODOP Initiative seeks to select, brand, and promote one product from every district of the country. This is marked by a key role to coordinate, create collaborative networks, and enable handholding of buyers and sellers for the larger aim of trade promotion and facilitation.
MG/DP/RK
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 176.19 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,64,522
- Active cases stand at 0.38%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.42%
- 31,377 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,21,89,887
- 15,102 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 76.24 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 11,83,438 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Prime Minister's Office
PM prays for speedy recovery of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has prayed for the good health and speedy recovery of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"I pray for the good health and speedy recovery of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji."
Ministry of Finance
India and Brunei sign Agreement for the Exchange of Information and Assistance in Collection with respect to Taxes 
The Government of Republic of India and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam signed an Agreement for the Exchange of Information and Assistance in Collection with respect to Taxes  here today in New Delhi. The Agreement was signed by Mr. Pramod Chandra Mody, Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes  on behalf of India and Dato Paduka Haji Sidek Ali, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to India on behalf of Brunei Darussalam.
The Agreement enables exchange of information, including banking and ownership information between the two countries for tax purposes. It is based on international standards of tax transparency and exchange of information and enables sharing of information on request as well as on automatic basis. The Agreement also provides for mutual assistance in collection of tax revenue claims between both countries.
The Agreement will enhance mutual co-operation between India and Brunei Darussalam by providing an effective framework for exchange of information in tax matters which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.
Ministry of Communications
Celebration of “Bharat Internet Utsav” from 07.07.2023 to 21.08.2023
Citizens can share short videos on how internet has transformed their lives
Best videos shall be rewarded with cash prizes upto Rs.15,000
To embrace the transformative role of the Internet, the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with MYGOV is celebrating “Bharat Internet Utsav”, wherein Citizens can share their videos up to 2 minutes on how internet has transformed their lives on any of the social media handles with #BharatInternetUtsav or upload in drive with accessible link, and the same link of drive/social media can be submitted on MYGOV at https://innovateindia.mygov.in/bharat-internet-utsav/ The best videos shall be rewarded with cash prizes upto Rs.15,000.
The contest shall be conducted on MYGOV from 07.07.2023 to 21.08.2023.
The Internet has emerged as an indispensable tool for connectivity, knowledge-sharing, and socio-economic development. The Department of Telecommunications has taken various steps to provide affordable and high-quality internet in the country especially in remote and commercially unviable areas to the citizens through USOF , and through various procedural, structural, and legal reforms which has led to faster rollouts.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari meets Minister of Transport of Qatar Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti
Union Minister  Shri Nitin Gadkari met the Qatari Delegation led by Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport of Qatar in New Delhi today.
In the meeting views and opinions were exchanged in the sectors pertaining to Sustainable Transport Infrastructure Development and deliberated upon capacity building and technology sharing in sustainable alternate clean and green fuels, electric mobility and development of innovative transit technologies for movement of passenger and cargo.
The meeting paved the way for strengthening India’s continued partnership and collaboration with Qatar for deriving effective solutions to contemporary challenges in Transportation and Logistics.